Question:
I went to see my surgeon,

I am on zoloft that I take for panic attacks. He told me that I should go ahead and fill a prescription for Xanax that I have on file at the pharmacy in case I should ever need it if my panic attacks got extremely bad. He said I may get depression after the surgery and I may need it. Can I get some input from any of you that may have experienced depression after surgery. How bad was it and how did you deal with it? I have never taken Xanax before, I don't want to take something that I would have withdrawls from after stopping. any info please.    — taterbug898 (posted on November 22, 2004)

November 22, 2004
Several years ago I was on Zoloft for depression. I was fortunate and my depression didn't last long. However, five years later and I found myself needing something for my nerves. I explained to my doctor my symptons and he immediately put me on Xanax and I've felt great ever since. I've been taking it now for over two years and I don't have to take it every day. The prescription says to take one three times a day if needed. However, most days it's only once a day, but when it gets closer to that time of the month I tend to take the recommended dosage. After my surgery in July I was actually able to not have to take any Xanax for several weeks and I never suffered from any withdrawls. Hope this helps.
   — Belle

November 22, 2004
Hi. I have suffered from panic attacks for years, and I am also taking Zoloft for mild depression. It works great for me. I am having trouble understanding why your doctor feels you will be depressed after the surgery. If anything, you will feel much better, physically and emotionally. True, the surgery is a life-changing event and a huge adjustment, but everyone who has it is required to undergo a psychiatric evaluation first to make sure you are up to it. So, I would not worry if I were you. The only thing close to depression that I experienced was the after-affects from the anesthesia, which just made me feel a little melancholy for a couple of weeks just after the surgery. Also, almost everyone I've ever spoken to has had the same feeling in the first few days after surgery: "What have I done?" However, these feelings soon pass, and, in most cases do not require medication to treat them. Oh, by the way, I take Zoloft for a problem with depression that began years before I had my surgery, so it is not related. I hope everything goes well with you. Take care.
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 22, 2004
I am on effexor for depression and depakote for mood swings. I also have xanax in case I have really bad depression. I had depression starting the 2nd wk post-op and it went on for 4 wks. I took that xanax when I had a really bad day. When I tried not taking it on a really bad day, I would end up in bed all day long. It's not a drug that you are going to get addicted to just taking it as you need it. If you were to get addicted, your dr. can help you come off of it w/o any side effects. Get that perscription filled just in case. You will do great. Good luck.
   — juju524

November 22, 2004
I have been prescribed Xanax for panic attacks. Sometimes what happens is that people who need to take it like 3x a day or every 6 hrs as needed end up being addicted. I am not saying that is the case with anyone here, but when I had my psych exam for surgery, he asked why I was on Xanax because it is highly addictive. He explained that it enter the bloodstream very quickly and leaves the bloodstream very quickly and when people are on it alot for extended periods and try to stop taking it...they feel nervous and anxious without it in their system. He said it was a rebound effect...like people need alcohol to feel right when they are alcoholics....along the same kind of path. I myself have it prescribed to take every 6hrs as needed and usually only take it maybe twice a week...sometimes not at all for a week...but the week or really few days especially the day before my period I sometimes have to take it the three times a day..or take a double dose at one time...i am on .5mg. As far as your doctor feeling you may become depressed....it is just as a caution. I am still pre-op so I cannot speak for everyone, but some people do go into mild to major depressions after surgery...there is alot of emotional stuff to deal with after this surgery...the pain, the what did i do to myself question?, the loss of food as your best friend, not hiding under a shield of fat anymore, there is a lot to deal with....and on another group I belong to....a woman actually killed herself because she could not handle being thin....imagine that. Quite sad. I think that if you only take the Xanax as needed you will be fine...but if it is something you would need on a daily basis especially in a higher dose, I would think about taking something else like Ativan or Klonipin...which enter the bloodstream slower and leave slower...and are less addictive. But that is the good thing about Xanax for me....that it works usually withing 20mins to a half hour for me. Some people it may take up to 2 hrs. kelly
   — Kellys5pt0

November 22, 2004
I take xanax at night right before bed. It keeps my panic attacks under control all day *maybe just in my head* but I have been taking it for years and my shrink said as long as I dont feel the need to increase the dosage I will be fine.. Best of luck toyou...
   — Kathy S.

November 29, 2004
I take Lexapro for my depression and have for a while now. If it were me I would take and have the prescription filled and just have it, just in case. I also suffer from chronic depression and anxiety "panic" attacks. I am now 8 weeks post op and have been having attacks that the lexapro has not helped. I have klonipin for nervous legs and use it to calm the panic attacks. My Physchiatrist told me that it could have something to do with the large amount of weight and my system all in a tizzy. I have lost 80 lbs. since surgery, but I had complications and I tell you from experience, if you can afford to have the prescription filled do it just for your sanity's sake. And your care givers sake. As one of my high school teachers' used to say, "Better to have and not need, than to need and not have." Good luck, don't be afraid, keep plugging along and put it in God's hands. He is the final decision maker in my book. Debbie
   — imdebbie